Taking full advantage of another chance to moon over a Joss Whedon film, Jess and Kendyl rehash Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing and reel at the depth of understanding the film presented, from the line delivery to the filming to the background action.
In anticipation of the new Percy Jackson film, the hosts talk about the second book in the series, what they thought of the first film and how its shortcomings could effect Sea of Monsters.
Edit: Check out our episode on the film, out now!
The Hunger Games, novel and film
Beautiful Creatures, novel and film
Quickly becoming zombie connoisseurs with our fifth zombie related podcast, the hosts discuss Marc Forster’s film adaptation of World War Z and whether it’s really an adaptation or just a zombie movie in its own right.
Don’t forget to check out our episode on the novel by Max Brooks!
In discussing Zach Snyder’s film Man of Steel, the hosts touch on the decidedly darker tone, how this Superman will fit into the future Justice League movie and how the characters compare to their previous incarnations.
Kendyl is accompanied by Jess, Jenn and Dorin’s extensive notes to discuss William Joyce’s children’s book The Leaf Men and the film Epic by Chris Wedge. The girls discuss the adaptation in terms of expanding on an already created world, matching voice actors to characters and the beauty of the animation.
In this episode, Kendyl and Dorin discuss World War Z by Max Brooks and applaud the plausibility. With everything from social politics to war tactics to black market organs, the girls agree that this book covers all the angles of a zombie apocalypse and it’s after-math. And then they discuss where they would run if the book became reality.
Jess, Ryan and Kendyl talk about Baz Luhrmann’s film The Great Gatsby. While the spectacle was enjoyable, they wonder if all the cinematography was in the film’s best interest. And even in concluding that it was a faithful adaptation, they wonder if seeing the characters on screen made them more likeable and question where Nick ends up.
Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre
I was scrolling through Tumblr today when I came across this pretty little screenshot of the IMDB page for Stephen Sondheim and Rob Marshall’s upcoming adaptation of Into the Woods.
Yep, that’s right! The page has exploded with new castings! And I don’t even know where to start! First of all, we’re clearly seeing another star-studded cast as in Mamma Mia and Les Miserables. It’s the price we have to pay for seeing Broadway on the big screen as a Hollywood production. The real question on everyone’s minds, though: The acting talent is clearly here, but can they sing? Or are we in for another Russell “And I am Javert” Crowe fiasco?
Well, James Corden at least has already been tested on the musical stage, with a Tony under his belt. So his casting as the Baker is one less thing to worry about. And according to her IMDB page, newly cast Baker’s wife Emily Blunt was briefly featured in ex-boyfriend Michael Bublé’s song “Me and Mrs. Jones” from his album “Call Me Irresponsible”. And if her bio page can be believed, is known as a “strong alto singer”. Johnny Depp of course had his day as Sweeny Todd, but what about Chris Pine? Or Jake Gyllenhaal? As far as we know, they have never hit a musical note…at least not professionally. And I know that I can’t be the only one with slight concerns.
But you know what? I’m still hoping for a positive attitude. I can’t bear to do otherwise. Because if Disney messes up Sondheim, I think I’m going to cry. Or turn back to Bernadette Peters for some serious Broadway therapy.
Comments? Commiseration? Concerns? Comfort? Post below.
To read our previous article about Into the Woods, click here.
Note: The artwork/poster associated with this article is not the official image for Into the Woods the movie. Adaptation was given permission to use this fan-made piece by its artist, Nathan, whose work can be found on his Tumblr page.
The hosts try to hold back the fangirling for as long as possible in this episode on JJ Abrams’ Star Trek Into Darkness. Dorin brings the Original Series knowledge as they compare the plot, tone and characters to the film, and then decide that Benedict Cumberbatch is everything.
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Finally the second part of the interviews that Kendyl did at the 2012 From Page To Screen festival are out! Olivia Hetreed talks about her work on Wuthering Heights (2011), an adaptation of the Emily Bronte novel and distilling the screenplay down to the very basic relationship in the story. Moira Buffini, screenwriter for Jane Eyre (2011) talks about the baggage that comes with the original Charlotte Bronte novel and the hosts discuss its feminist implications… and the dislike the Bronte’s had for Jane Austen.
Check out Adaptation Mini #1 for interviews with Corinna Wagner and Simon Beaufoy!
A special thanks to everyone at From Page to Screen for making these interviews possible!
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While mooning over Tony Stark and admiring Pepper’s bad-assery, the hosts discuss their favorite moments of Shane Black’s Iron Man 3. Going through the various story arcs, they compare the film to Marvel canon with the help of Adaptation’s resident Iron Man expert and the 2010 Extremis mini-series.
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Some of the hosts had a few sleepless nights after seeing Fede Alverez’s Evil Dead, adapted from Sam Raimi’s 1981 film. With a few Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell superfans on the podcast, they have a long discussion of the new and old versions and a few words on the possibility of trigger warnings before films.
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What?! After a year of Mondays and Thursdays spent in anticipation of a new episode, our Austen-inclined hosts discuss Hank Green and Bernie Su’s The Lizzie Bennet Diaries and its whole new level of audience immersion. We gush over our love for most of the characters, seethe over our hatred for others and sit in awe of the realization that they all had depth that we weren’t initially expecting from this Pride and Prejudice adaptation.
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Our hosts agree that Andrew Niccol’s The Host was a tough movie to make, with source material that had both too much and too little to fit into two hours. While they enjoyed the film, they also feel like it went too far in some areas and not far enough in others.
Also, check out episode #38: Mind, Host and Soul which covers the novel by Stephenie Meyer.
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Jess, Jenn and Kendyl get together to discuss Bryan Singer’s film Jack the Giant Slayer, which is definitely worth watching. Though unsure about Isabella’s character, they agree that the film blends Jack and the Beanstalk and Jack the Giant Killer well, while adding some new mythology to the mix.
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After seeing Sam Raimi’s Oz the Great and Powerful, the hosts finally know which witch is which and some now have gloating rights. They also discuss the film from a visual standpoint, their opinions on the Wicked Witch’s transformation and the Land of Oz in comparison with the original novel and 1939 film.
Check episode #34: The Merry Old Land of Manipulation for our discussion on Baum’s novel and the 1939 film here!
We also have an episode on Dorothy of Oz and the film Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return that you can see here!
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Discussing Stephenie Meyer’s The Host gives our hosts plenty to analyze, from the difference between body and mind to the believability of Wanderer’s selflessness and Ian’s understanding. And of course, the Twilight comparisons are inevitable.
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Also, check out our episode on the film!
The team discusses the Grimm Brothers’ Hansel and Gretel and the recent Tommy Wirkola film Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters. While being semi-divided, they all agree that the Grimm’s were random and the movie was entertaining, if a little under-developed.
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Episode #36 covers Richard LaGravenese’s film Beautiful Creatures and the hosts were less than impressed. After timidly discussing the movie on its own, the book comparisons come out in full force making the hosts wonder why the movie removed dramatic situations only to add in non-canon ones. And we make a few more hipster jokes…
Check out episode #33: Beautiful Outcasters for our discussion on the novel by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl!
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After seeing Jonathan Levine’s film Warm Bodies, the hosts discuss its merits as a film as well as its differences from the original novel. They also spend some time debating the cheese factor, the attractiveness of Rob Corddry and R’s hipster-emo tendencies.
Also check out our episode on the novel by Isaac Marion!
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